Distance Learning Days

 Hello!

As we prepare for our Distance Learning Days I would first like to say how I will miss every single one of my students. We are in a good flow and we will continue to learn and grow even when apart. I also would like to acknowledge that I have no expectation that all of what I present or send home will be completed. Please don't feel that I am looking for that. Many of the materials I have sent home or posted online are options that the children already enjoy in our classroom.

I have made a separate blog post with the links to many sites and activities we currently do as well as some for them to explore and enjoy. The post is titled: Online Resource Collection. Of course much of our school day isn't looking at screens or filling out worksheets but these activities may augment their learning. I plan to have a read aloud every day as well as a challenge for them and other fun activities.

This blog will consist of updates and other information I think you may appreciate regarding school.  I am feeling my way through this process and will attempt to make our Distance Learning Days as exciting and fun as I can.

Moving forward I will try and be in contact with you every day. This could include emails and phone calls just to check in and see if there is anything I need to be aware of or answer any questions you might have. Of course this blog and the RSU 1 and Woolwich Central School websites will have up to the minute decisions and information so please check in often with us as well! If you would like to be in contact with me first, PLEASE don't hesitate to email or call. ssample@rsu1.org and my personal phone number is 207 350 6869. I let my calls go to voice mail so PLEASE leave me a message and best # to reach you and I will get back to you as quickly as I am able. I care about each and every one of you and I want you to feel comfortable reaching out about anything at all!!!!! O.K.?

 I will also snap pictures every morning of our sloth that we have been growing since March 9th. They have been so excited that he is just starting to bust through the stump! These are from today! Please share them with your child. It has been a very fun activity...

Best to you all!!!
Sarah~

Online Resource Collection

As I mentioned before~Here is a list of online resources you can check out while we experience our Distance Learning Days~ Keep and eye out as I will continue to add more as they become known to me!


***RSU1 Website
https://www.rsu1.org/

***Woolwich Central School Website
http://www.woolwich.rsu1.org/


***Scholastic Link:
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome/grades-prek-k.html


***Mystery Science:
https://mysteryscience.com/school-closure-planning

***Woolwich Central School: Go to home page---click Menu---Choose Library---Look for blue rectangle "Click here for Tumblebooks"
http://www.woolwich.rsu1.org/


***Yoga/ Mindfulness:
https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga

*** Singing, Learning, Movement:
https://www.youtube.com/user/JackHartmann
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4Hdb26_xnPQsntwLazMqYw
https://www.youtube.com/user/alexgmay

March 13, 2020

Hello Families!

Have you heard about the sloth we are "hatching?" If not, please ask your child!

As we are 111 days into the school year our supplies are getting tired! Please send in a new package of washable markers with your child... Also, we could use tissues! Thank you!!!!

This week we have continued our weather observations at a deeper level and trying to decide if the weather outside is a lion or a lamb as the old saying goes. Some days have been both and that realization has led to many scientific conversations between the students. They are acute observers!

Reading/Writing: We have continued to enjoy more Dr. Seuss books this week as well as some stories related to weather. The difference between fiction and non-fiction has been discussed. We have also been working in our interactive writing block where each student helps in the writing and illustrating of a class book. We are all authors and illustrators! In writing we are also continuing the How-To unit where it is their responsibility to teach someone else how to do something step-by-step. Some of the books written have been quite humorous, especially when the students realize steps have been left out of the process! They are enjoying this unit very much.

Math: Combinations of 10, graphing data, identifying, comparing and creating various shapes, working with teen numbers, analyzing solutions to problems presented in word problems, and continuing our calendar routines. We are all surprised that today is the 111 day of school!

Assessment: Assessments in every area are being conducted at this point and students are working harder than ever in order to get them done. I dislike the amount of "testing" I need to do, but in the end it does show me (and you) the incredible growth in your children. I am so proud of them!

Upcoming Events:
March 20- FULL DAY OF SCHOOL!
March 26- Parent/ Teacher Conferences- PLEASE sign up if you have not done so~
March 27- 1/2 Day of school
April 20-24 April Vacation

March 6, 2020

Happy March, Everyone! In like a lamb! This winter certainly has been kind to us!

We have had a very busy week here in Kindergarten! Book character dress up day, Community reader, cup stacking with our reading buddies, being visited by 5th graders who read to us and gave us a yummy treat, and reading all of these silly Dr. Seuss books has made this week that much more fun! 

In writing we have been introduced to a new unit in writing. We will be creating books that teach people how to do something (examples: How to Build a Snowman, How to Make a Sandwich, How to Brush My Teeth). It is harder than you think to organize the steps of how to complete a task!

Animated Alphabet is our approach to phonemic awareness and spelling. The letters are taught through a multi sensory approach of music, dance, characters and signs which help the students hold onto that information. The characters this week were Grouchy Owl and Brown Mouse and Abe. 

 In math we have been using dice to play a probability game, working with shapes, using teen numbers, finding combinations of 10 and continuing our calendar activities. 

It is a good time of the year for reminders about having an extra set of dry clothes for your child (the ones from the fall might not fit us anymore). They can leave them in their backpack or in their cubby. There is nothing worse than getting wet or muddy and sitting in them for the rest of the day. 

Upcoming Events:

March 20- The Professional Development Day HAS BEEN CANCELLED! There is a REGULAR                        day of school!

March 26- Parent/ Teacher Conferences- Please sign up if you haven't already! 

March 26 & 27-1/2 days-11:50 both days

April 20-24- Vacation

February 28. 2020

Dear Families,

Enjoy your "extra" day tomorrow! Leap Year is such an interesting thing to me~

We FINALLY got to celebrate our 100th day of school (complete without electricity) and I want to send a huge thank you and shout out to those who sent in food for our 100 food collection as well as those who shared snacks for our celebration! It was a great day~

We have read a great many stories and learned so much about dental health this week. How very important it is to keep our teeth healthy. They are bringing home new toothbrushes today!

During writing time they are writing narrative and sharing things that have happened in their lives. We have had some great adventures as a group! 

Animated Alphabet is our approach to phonemic awareness and spelling. The letters are taught through a multi sensory approach of music, dance, characters and signs which help the students hold onto that information. The character we learned this week was Ike.

In math we are working with teen numbers, formation of numbers, making pictures to match the number written, addition and subtraction practice, counting by 10s, making sets of 10 to 100 (and beyond), probability practice, problem solving, and matching domino dots to the numbers they represent.  Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observations, tracking the number of days we have been in school and days of the week. 

We are learning about the Woolwich Way! The Woolwich Way is made up of 6 qualities that will help us to be the best we can be! (Courtesy- I can use good manners, Compassion-I can help others, Respect- I can treat others kindly, Honesty-I can tell the truth, Responsibility- I can take care of myself and my stuff, Quality- I can do my best even when things are hard)

Upcoming Events: 

March 20th is now a regular day of school in an attempt to make up some snow day time!!!!!

This is for a class....

Woolwich Central School

5 VERY IMPORTANT SKILLS FOR SUCCESS! 

Empathy                                                       Self- Control

This is important for your child because                            Is important in all that we do!

teaching this skill will help them to not only                     Being able to regulate our thoughts

learn how to take the perspective of others,                       and emotions (even when we are upset)

but will also encourage them to respect people                 is a skill they will need forever. We will

when they don't agree with them.                                      practice making decisions and learning

                                                                                           about consequences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_1Rt1R4xbM

                                                                                                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0YDE8_jsHk

Integrity                                                   Embracing Diversity

Integrity is much more than honesty.  We                          We will always work to honor the fact

can learn to be honest (super important!) yet                     that our differences make us unique and 

lack integrity. We will be using different                           special and in all circumstances we will

children's stories to begin learning about                           caring and respectful toward each other.

integrity and what it looks like for us. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5oZ-P1yH7M&t=45s

                                                                                                    https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=oODXem4oRp0

Grit

I like to think of grit as resilience for those                                

times when we have to push through and 

keep on going. The Little Engine That Could

comes to mind. Things can feel really hard but

in kindergarten we are going to learn about

what strategies we can use if we feel stuck. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh0ixeNElF4

I will continue to keep you up to date with all of the special activities, new vocabulary, and children's books that we are using in class for each skill. If you have any questions please contact me! I look forward to strengthening these essential skills that all students (and adults) should have. 

For more information you can check out The Formative Five at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Formative-Five-Fostering-Empathy-Success/dp/1416622691/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Formative+five&qid=1582315269&s=books&sr=1-3

February 14, 2020

Well...the sickness caught me! They spent time with a substitute this week and then we had a snow day. Today we celebrated Valentine's Day~ Hope it was wonderful! THANK YOU for all my sweet surprises! 

Wishing you a fun and adventurous vacation! I hope we can get outside and rid ourselves of this nasty, germy stuff!!!

We finished our mission to Kenya and found that our hypothesis was TRUE! There was drinkable water under HIP academy!!! YEAH! Our next mission is a little ways away but we are looking forward to learning all about Borneo...

Upcoming Events: 100th Day of School will be when we return from vacation...more celebrating to                                   come!

                                February 17-21 February Vacation

                                Book Orders Due: February 24th if you want to order